"Vem Passarinhar CE": birdwatching and the role in the conservation of protected areas in the state of Ceará

Abstract

Birdwatching is an activity that works as a strategy to stimulate interest in nature, knowledge about biodiversity, in addition to expanding sustainability and ecological tourism in the regions where it has been implemented. Currently, it is estimated that in Brazil there are about 100 thousand bird watchers, but despite this significant number, this activity is not widespread in some regions of the country, yet. The project Vem Passarinhar has as main object to awaken people's interest in birds and in the contemplation of nature. The issue of the Project developed in Ceará focuses on valuing the state's conservation units and regional avifauna. The object of this work is to describe the activity of Projeto Vem Passarinhar CE, and the importance of the activity for the conservation of protected areas in the state. In 14 months of project execution, 27 editions were carried out in 8 protected area, being 7 from state and one federal. The project directly reached 550 people and developed a series of educational products such as bird guides, coloring books, courses and apps. This is a voluntary, non-profit initiative carried out by professionals from different areas; and such diversity that has is responsible for the democratization and availability of these initiatives in the state. With activities since 2019, the project has impacted the population with a vast knowledge and interest in nature, not to mention to the appreciation of protected areas and regional fauna.